Plan to close ‘dangerous’ steps at the Everholm

But a remaining set of steps is now undergoing renovation work, after worries were flagged up to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Local authority officer Jamie Nicholson is responsible for the Everholm area, and addressing the state of steps on the northern side of the Marie Curie Cancer Field, she said: “They’re actually very steep and they’re really quite dangerous.”
Addressing a meeting of The Royal Burgh of Annan Community Council, she added: “What we wanted to find out was people’s thoughts were if we were to put those out of action and make one good set of steps that lead down from North Street onto the
Everholm.”
The community council generally voiced support for the move to close the steps.
However, Marion Stewart said: “I’m concerned that you’ll close that and not do anything else with the other (steps).”
Annandale South councillor Ian Carruthers suggested that backing should only come after a presentation by DG First, but Mrs Nicholson stressed a desire to act quickly.
She noted work is already underway on the nearby set of steps on North Street, after the issue was flagged up by community council treasurer Allan Weild. Two steps have been reinstated at the top and a barrier erected.
And she revealed that a costing is being obtained for the introduction of a metal handrail, although this is not officially required.
But Mrs Stewart voiced concern that the work did not address the loose stone surface of the steps.
And Mr Weild has once again urged the introduction of parking restrictions on North Street to prevent children emerging from the steps and running out from between parked cars.